Is iOS safe? Discover Some Secrets About your iPhone

You have probably noticed that smartphones are dominating the market – and of course, everyday life. Although Android had nearly outrun Apple, iOS has gained popularity again in recent times. Getting the most expensive and desired model of the moment may imply better security and a higher quality phone, but what many do not know is that cybercriminals are constantly refining their strategies to create and spread increasingly sophisticated attacks. Which begs the question: Is iOS safe?

Is iOS Safe?

Every mobile operating system has its irregularities and flaws. However, many people still believe that iOS is 100% secure and its technology is not affected by scams or malware.

According to Emilio Simoni, director of dfndr lab, PSafe’s digital security lab, says that having an iOS doesn’t mean you can ignore all threats and risks on the internet, such as phishing, malware, and ramsonware. It’s important to know how to protect your iPhone from viruses, circumvent vulnerabilities, and watch over the privacy and security of your data.

According to a Forbes report, a survey revealed that 38% of all iOS apps contain critical vulnerabilities, the vast majority due to inaccuracies found in the early stages of app development. These types of flaws can give opportunities to hackers who are facilitating scams and consequently compromising the protection of Apple users. The number may be shocking, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Symptoms of a Broken iOS

As the popular phrase says, “Prevention is better than the cure.” We’ve listed 5 characteristics of a broken iOS that are easy to spot:

Your Battery Doesn’t Last Long
When it is noticeable that battery life has shortened significantly with recent use or your iPhone takes longer to fully charge, malware could be a possibility. Another indicator may be if your phone feels unusually warm, which almost always points to software problems. If your device is warming up even without being used, it may mean that a virus is acting in the background.

Phone Performance Diminishes
The presence of malware on any system makes it operate poorly. It’s important to pay attention to any performance issues with your iPhone. Unusual slowdowns, apps that suddenly close or crash excessively are some indications that something is not right.

Your Data Runs Out
If you notice a spike in your data charges, it may be that there are malicious apps that run even with the screen locked, draining data sneakily from your phone.

There’s Non-User Activity
Links, messages, posts, likes, and shares that you did not perform may point to an identity theft case. If a hacker has access to your device, they also have access to all the accounts linked to it.

Phone Makes Strange Sounds
During a call, a compromised iPhone may make strange background noises, often described as echoes, squeaks, or clicks. These sounds can be caused by a weak signal, interference, or the worst scenario possible: someone is listening to your microphone. Be aware of any odd sounds your iPhone makes when not in use.

How to Protect my iOS from Scams

The dfndr lab experts have put together key measures to keep your iPhone safe: 

Choose a Strong Password
Always, always create good passwords for your accounts. They should be alphanumeric (composed of letters, numbers, and symbols). Also, it’s important that you have a different password for each online account. Avoid sequences like “1234abc” or important dates. Security experts also recommend changing your password every 30 days.

Keep Your Operating System Current
It’s essential that iOS is always the latest version, as hackers occasionally encounter exploitable coding flaws, making it easier to access personal data. Apple offers periodic updates as a way to correct these inconsistencies, so in addition to protecting your iPhone from viruses, it also improves performance overall.

Don’t Click on Suspicious Links
Be wary of links that offer great deals and discounts, especially if they are advertised in messaging apps such as WhatsApp. In addition, fake news also presents a certain risk that goes well beyond misinformation. Always research the information to make sure it’s from credible sources. When in doubt, do a link analysis, such as the offered by dfndr lab. The link checker lets you know if a site is dangerous without having to access it.

Use Trusted Antivirus
There is controversy about using security applications for the iPhone. But, according to Simoni, there will always be cybercriminals looking for vulnerabilities, whether on the Android or iOS system. It’s vital to keep a good security system installed on your phone to keep it secure. dfndr security is available for Android and iOS provides several tools to protect you against identity theft, malicious links, scams, and fake websites. You can download dfndr security for free here.